Ext. A midsummer dawn. Thornfield the grounds

JANE

How, sir?

ROCHESTER

By distracting me from the mire

of my thoughts.

Adele, irrepressible, runs across the room embracing the

dress. She drops on one knee at Rochester's feet.

ADELE

Monsieur, je vous remercie mille

fois de votre bonte...

She looks up, seeking his approval.

ADELE (CONT'D)

That is how Maman used to say, is

it not?

ROCHESTER

Precisely.

MRS FAIRFAX

Let's try it on, shall we?

Adele skips off with Mrs Fairfax.

ROCHESTER

(TO HIMSELF)

And that is how she charmed my

English gold out of my English

breeches pocket.

Rochester notices how keenly Jane is observing him.

ROCHESTER (CONT'D)

Your gaze is very direct, Miss

Eyre? D'you think me handsome?

JANE

No sir.

Jane Eyre adapted by Moira Buffini March 2008 46.

Rochester laughs.

JANE (CONT'D)

I was too plain; I beg your pardon.

ROCHESTER

What fault do you find with me? I

have all my limbs and all my